Krempec earns Evans Scholarship

GOLF, Ill – An elite group of 23 caddies from across Ohio, including seven from the Toledo-area, will be attending college this fall as recipients of the prestigious Chick Evans Scholarship, a full, four-year housing and tuition college scholarship awarded to golf caddies through the Evans Scholars Foundation.

The Ohio-area caddies, part of a larger group of 247 national, newly awarded caddies, will begin school at leading universities this fall where the Foundation owns and operates an Evans Scholarship House, including The Ohio State University and Miami University. Evans Scholars are chosen based on demonstrating a strong caddie record, excellent academics, outstanding character and financial need. The scholarship is valued at more than $80,000 over four years.

Locally, Brandon Krempec of Swanton, a graduate of Evergreen High School, has earned an Evans Scholarship. He has chosen to enroll at Miami University of Ohio.

“Based on their excellence in the classroom and their service to their schools and communities, there is little doubt that these young men and women have earned this life-changing opportunity,” said John Kaczkowski, President and CEO of the Western Golf Association. “We welcome them to the Evans Scholars family.”

The Evans Scholarship Program – supported by the Western Golf Association located near Chicago – is one of golf’s favorite charities and among the nation’s largest privately funded scholarship programs. One of the Program’s goals is to send more than 1,000 caddies to college annually by 2020.

Currently, 870 caddies are enrolled in colleges across the nation as Evans Scholars, and more than 10,000 caddies, including 841 from Ohio, have graduated as Evans Scholars since the program was founded by famed Chicago amateur golfer Charles “Chick” Evans Jr.

“The selection process for Evans Scholars is extensive and very demanding,” said Joe Desch, lead WGA Director in the state of Ohio and an Evans Alum. “Only the candidates with the highest qualifications who experience significant financial need are awarded Evans Scholarships. All of our new Ohio Evans Scholars have demonstrated excellence as caddies, students and active participants in their schools and communities. We congratulate them on their success, and we are excited to see their growth and leadership over the next four years and beyond.”

Scholarship funds for the Evans Scholars Program mostly come from contributions by 27,600 golfers across the country, who are members of the WGA Evans Scholars Par Club. Evans Scholars Alumni donate more than $8 million annually, and all proceeds from the BMW Championship, the third of four PGA TOUR Playoff events in the PGA TOUR’s FedExCup competition, are donated to the Evans Scholars Foundation. Visit www.wgaesf.org for more information.